There’s an old saying that if you don’t grow and change with the times, you won’t survive, and Midwest Flyer Magazine has gone through several changes over the past 46 years which have benefitted readers, advertisers, and the aviation community as a whole.
Category: Dialogue
A Day @ The Airport
It was July 3, and I was waiting for my flight instructor to arrive at my airport once the fog lifted at his airport to give me my biennial flight review. While I waited, I reviewed some performance data for my Cessna 182, including emergency and short-field takeoff and landing procedures, best angle and rate of climb speeds, etc. It was a good review, and you never know what your instructor might ask you.
U.S. Student Pilot Certificates Up 24%
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2024 Digital Issue When you consider that the number of student pilot certificates received in the U.S. in 2023 increased 24%…
Protect Yourself From The Sun
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine April/May 2024 Digital Issue “Melanoma” is a form of skin cancer. When it spreads to other places in the body, it’s called…
Airports, Horses & The CAP
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine February/March 2024 Digital Issue Before you start reading this issue, I want to clarify that we are NOT Horse&Rider magazine https://horseandrider.com/, although…
Working One-On-One With Your Favorite Mechanic
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2023/January 2024 Digital Issue I’ve always been a believer in working one-on-one with my aircraft mechanic when doing our annual inspection….
The Aviation Community Is Up & At ‘Em!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine October/November 2023 Digital Issue Of all the industries I have been involved with over the years for business and pleasure, the general…
Ray Rubin, Creator of the Canadian Caravan for Pilots
(October 4, 1931 – July 11, 2023) by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine August/September 2023 Digital Issue It was the winter of 1988 when businessman, Ray Rubin, of…
Should Your Fly-In Have A Rain Date?
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2023 Digital Issue I recently planned to attend a fly-in, but weather was a factor. Visibility was good, but the ceilings…
First Elvis, Then Lear… Jets To Be Restored
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine April/May 2023 Digital Issue We often hear of small, classic and vintage aircraft being restored, as well as warbird aircraft, but seldom…
Scholarships & Opportunities Galore!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine February/March 2023 Digital Issue I have never seen so many scholarships and opportunities for young people and adults to get into aviation…
A College Degree Is No Longer Required For Many Top-Paying Jobs In Aviation
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2022/January 2023 Digital Issue Let me preface this editorial by stating that I believe in higher education, but I question when…
Contributions By An Aviation Great Deserve Recognition
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine October/November 2022 Digital Issue Former EAA President and Chairman, Tom Poberezny, 75, passed away the morning of July 25, 2022, the opening…
Time Flys, and So Do Families
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine August/September 2022 Digital Issue In 1978 when Peggy and I started Wisconsin Flyer Magazine, which evolved to become Midwest Flyer Magazine in…
No Better Time Than The Present
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2022 Digital Issue If it is one thing we got from this lousy pandemic we’ve just gone through, it is a…
Aviation Leaders Deserving of Recognition
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine April/May 2022 online issue. In this issue, you will read articles recognizing the accomplishments of several aviation leaders who have recently retired….
Family & Friends of the Right Seat
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine February/March 2022 online issue When I recall my flights over the past 50 years, I think of the people who have flown…
It’s Called Consideration & Common Courtesy
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2021/January 2022 Online Issue Consideration and common courtesy works both ways… Airports and fixed base operators need to provide self-serve fuel…
New & Exciting Educational Opportunities In Aviation For Young People
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine Online – October/November 2021 issue The opportunities for young people to train and get into aviation careers, are many, thanks to the…
Sharing What We Know Benefits All of Us!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine online August/September 2021 issue When Peggy and I were dating back in 1973 – shortly after I got my Private Pilot Certificate…
Publishing Online Opens New Pathways In Communications!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2021 Online Issue In this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine is an article on the award-winning engineering project completed by Short…
Enjoy This Half of Midwest Flyer Magazine In Print & The Other Half Online!
by Dave Weiman Published Midwest Flyer Magazine – online & print April/May 2021 As announced last fall, Midwest Flyer Magazine would be published ONLINE beginning with the December 2020/January 2021…
How Can The Designated Pilot Examiner Program Be Improved?
by Dave Weiman Published online Midwest Flyer Magazine February/March 2021 issue I am hearing from the aviation community concern that the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) program, which is administered by…
Midwest Flyer Magazine Online & In Print
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine (online) – December 2020/January 2021 As announced in the October/November 2020 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, effective with this issue (December 2020/January…
Hungry For A Flying Destination?
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2020 issue I am sitting at my computer having just sent an email to would-be participants of our 2020 “Canada Fishing…
AOPA’s Rusty Pilots Course, Good For Everyone!
by Dave Weiman @August 2020 All rights reserved. Published in Midwest Flyer – August/September 2020 It was time to complete my biennial flight review (BFR), and my flight instructor encouraged…
Something Good Will Come From It
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – June/July 2020 issue By now, we have all sheltered in our homes and maintained our social distancing to the point we are…
Starting Them Out Right!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – April/May 2020 issue Unless you have skis on your airplane, you are probably ready for spring as much as I am. Not…
MidwestFlyer.com
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2020 issue Subscribe Online FREE! You can take Midwest Flyer Magazine with you wherever you go with an ONLINE SUBSCRIPTION. And…
Airport Tenants Make For A Strong Airport Support Group
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – December 2019/January 2020 Issue As an airport tenant, wouldn’t you like a say on how your airport is ran…an opportunity to get…
Aviators To Be Remembered In Part For Their Entrepreneurship
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2019 Issue In this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, you will read about a number of people in the aviation community…
Why The Size of Fuel Hoses On Self-Serve Systems Is So Important!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine August/September 2019 issue If you have never thought about the size of the hose at airport self-serve fuel systems, you are not…
Twin Cities Airports Pull Off Another Super Bowl-Like Win With Final Four
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – June/July 2019 issue MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – Not since Super Bowl LII, February 4, 2018, have the airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan…
When It Comes To Flight Training, It’s No Time To Pinch Pennies!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – April/May 2019 issue In this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine is an advertisement promoting specialized flight training for Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, Travel…
Much More Than Merely A Collection
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2019 You will read in this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine about EAA’s Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet held at the Experimental…
Remember To Change Your Mailing Address
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – December 2018/January 2019 issue If you are moving, be sure to change your mailing address with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and…
Let’s Work To Keep The Welcome Mat Out For Everyone!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2018 issue The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) opposes egregious fees charged by fixed base operators, and wants to ensure…
Latest ATC Spinoff Proposal Meets Continued Heavy Opposition From GA Groups
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – August/September 2018 issue Pilots, aircraft owners, corporate flight departments, aircraft manufacturers and fixed base operators who are members of the Experimental Aircraft…
Feedback – Why It Is So Important!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – June/July 2018 issue Whether you are a professional pilot, aircraft technician, airport manager, flight instructor, fixed base operator, aircraft manufacturer or supplier,…
President May Want His Pilot In The Top Spot
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – April/May 2018 issue In the February/March 2018 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, it was announced that former airline pilot, military pilot, and…
Individual With Impressive Airline & Military Credentials Named Acting FAA Administrator
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2018 issue WASHINGTON, DC – Former airline pilot, military pilot, and airline lobbyist, Daniel Elwell, was appointed the acting administrator of…
Never Hesitate To Say “Unable!”
by Dave Weiman Midwest Flyer – December 2017/January 2018 I concur with Midwest Flyer Magazine “Instrument Flight” columnist, Michael J. “Mick” Kaufman, in his assessment of a fatal accident involving…
The Future of State Aviation Trade Groups
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2017 issue Midwest Flyer Magazine has been working with state aviation trade groups since the publication was founded in 1978, and…
Privatization Poses Real Threat To GA
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer August/September 2017 issue Aviation-wise, we believe President Donald Trump and some members of Congress have been misled by proponents of privatizing the air…
Promoting Aircraft Maintenance Careers Through Competitive Wages, Status & Benefits
by Dave Weiman dave@midwestflyer.com Published in Midwest Flyer June/July 2017 While our elected officials in Washington can’t seem to agree on anything to better our country, many of us in…
State Aviation Conferences, Seaplane Flying & The Hoover Trophy!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer April/May 2017 issue The April/May issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine is traditionally dedicated to state aviation conferences being held throughout the Midwest in…
Friends & Partnerships Make For A Great Magazine!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer – February/March 2017 We are happy to announce in this issue a partnership between Midwest Flyer Magazine and Connell Aviation Group of Cedar…
Plane People Are The Best People!
by Dave Weiman Published in Midwest Flyer Dec 2016/Jan 2017 In this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, you will read about a lot of people doing a lot of great…
Students Go From High School & Cockpit To College
by Dave Weiman Midwest Flyer – Oct/Nov 2016 The Central High School Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Aviation Program in Westosha, Wis., is proud to announce that two of…
Memories Made… Memories To Come! The Log Cabin Airport Fly-In, Mondovi, Wis.
by Dave Weiman Midwest Flyer Magazine So often, we publish articles after an event, reporting on what happened and who participated. That’s all well and good, provides interesting stories, ample…
Vicky Benzing – Fastest Woman Racer Ever At Reno!
by Dave Weiman Our cover photo for this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine by Chris Bildilli features Vicky Benzing performing a knife-edge maneuver in her 1940 Boeing Stearman at EAA…
FAA Proposes New Rule That Could Make Aircraft & Equipment Certification More Streamlined & Cost-Effective!
by Dave Weiman We are pleased that on March 2, 2016, the FAA proposed a rulemaking directed by the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013, which would replace today’s highly…
Why Mentorship Is Important & Easier Today Than Ever Before!
by Dave Weiman I don’t think very many of us would be in aviation today if it were not for the selflessness of a “mentor.” For myself, I always had…
Aircraft Maintenance Must Be A Team Effort!
by Dave Weiman There is no professional in aviation I admire more than the aircraft technician. I am amazed each time I do an owner-assist annual inspection as to how…
A Little Information & Education Can Go A Long Way In Avoiding Airspace Conflicts With Drones
by Dave Weiman Earlier this year, I had heard there were 500,000 drones in the hands of hobbyists, but this week, there are reports there are now over a million….
It’s Heads Up For Drones & Their Owner/Operators
by Dave Weiman In this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, there are several articles intended to keep us out of trouble when it comes to potential violations to Federal Aviation…
Getting & Staying Engaged With Our Elected Officials
by Dave Weiman In this issue, you will read about the president of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), Mark Baker, who met with our elected officials on Capitol…
Midwest Flyer Magazine Readership Expands To Africa
by Dave Weiman The publishers of Midwest Flyer Magazine are always proud to hear when someone enjoys reading the magazine, no matter where they might live. Recently, subscriber, Phil Peterson,…
A Prediction: Lower Fuel Prices Equal Increase In Flight Hours
by Dave Weiman When fuel prices hit an all-time high in recent years, pilots were flying less, which resulted in reduced fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, aircraft sales, flight training, and…
Your Feedback Is Important!
by Dave Weiman Have you noticed an increase in the number of customer surveys in recent years? If you call your cell phone provider, for instance, a recorded message will…
Sharing The Experience!
by Dave Weiman For all of us who attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, we came away with a lot of memorable experiences in the people we met, the aircraft we…
Why Should You Care?
by Dave Weiman As members of the aviation community, we share a common bond, regardless of our specific interests. For instance, if an issue comes up and it affects instrument…
24/7 – Pilots Need Phone Numbers!
With more and more municipalities assuming the role of manager and fuel supplier at our airports, the contact person and telephone number for the airport is oftentimes that of a…
Conferences, Floatplanes & Good People!
by Dave Weiman This issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine is dedicated to state aviation conferences in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, and “floatplane flying!” While the conferences by in large…
A Lifetime In Aviation, As I Remember It
by Don Winkler Flying has been somewhat different for me. I have grown up with a camera in my hand. The airplane has been a platform for me to capture…
The Ways & Will of Don Winkler
by Dave Weiman Don Winkler is a familiar name and face in Wisconsin aviation and he has chosen at age 82 not to come into work anymore and who can…
Coming Together, Right Now, For You!
by Dave Weiman Listening to the Beatles’ hit song of the ‘60s, “Come Together,” made me think of what is happening in the aviation community right now. But instead of…
EAA Founder & Friend, Paul Poberezny
September 14, 1921 – August 22, 2013 by Dave Weiman Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Founder Paul Poberezny, 91, passed away August 22, 2013 at Evergreen Retirement Village in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,…
FAA Tells EAA To Pay Up or Else!
by Dave Weiman The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to pay $447,000 in “user fees” to cover the expenses associated with air traffic control services…
Help Show Them The Way!
by Dave Weiman At the “Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician Conference” in March in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, many of the exhibitors had “help wanted” signs in their booths, and I regularly…
When Two Organizations Are Better Than One!
by Dave Weiman On October 22, 2012, Rod Hightower – who had been appointed president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) on September 7, 2010 – announced that he was…
Pilot Shortage Creates Opportunity To Work With The Airlines
by Dave Weiman As general aviation pilots, you and I know that student pilot starts are down, and aviation organizations and others are addressing this issue through special programs and…
The Sky’s No Limit
“Round The World Air Race – 1994” by Dave Weiman PALM SPRINGS, CALIF. – You just never know who you are going to meet at the AOPA Aviation Summit. This…
In A Pinch, Private Airstrip Versus Nothing… Where Would You Prefer To Land?
by Dave Weiman Wouldn’t it be nice if in the event you or your fellow aviator had an in-flight emergency that you could be directed by air traffic control (ATC)…
Aviation Is Non-Partisan, Says State Senator
by Dave Weiman On July 14, 2012, I had the privilege of attending an AOPA “Pilot Mix & Mingle Social Networking Event” at Wisconsin Aviation in Madison, Wisconsin, hosted by…
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh – Where Something Special Is Waiting For You!
by Dave Weiman No sooner than one EAA AirVenture Oshkosh ends, we are thinking about the one to come. This is especially true for EAA President & CEO Rod Hightower…
An Aviation Day At Your State Capitol!
by Dave Weiman We predict that what occurred on February 9th, 2012, at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, in holding an “Aviation Day At The Capitol,” will be…
What’s A Commencement Speech Worth?
by Dave Weiman A good graduation commencement speech can serve as a reminder to graduates and those of us in the audience, as to what we need to do in life…
Access To Electronic Charts May Not Be Free For Long
by Dave Weiman You knew it was too good to be true. Economical visual and instrument charts through a vendor like “Foreflight” for as little as $75.00 per year. The…
FAA & Industry Reform Needed!
by Dave Weiman In this issue, contributing editor Jim Hanson continues his series on “Student Starts & Pilot Retention,” and expands on why he thinks our industry is not growing….
Aviation & Volunteerism… The Need, Opportunities & Rewards Are Endless!
by Dave Weiman With many of the state aviation conferences being held in the months of April and May, it reminds me of the tremendous amount of “volunteerism” that takes…
Jets, Floatplanes & Destinations
by Dave Weiman Featured in this issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine are three jet aircraft – the Embraer “Phenom 300” as featured on the cover; the “HondaJet,” which recently reached…
People Deserving of Recognition
by Dave Weiman Our congratulations to those individuals, who have been recognized this spring at various aviation events for significant contributions to aviation. For those organizations, which sponsor awards, we…
Lakes & Airports… What They Have In Common
by Dave Weiman This issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine is dedicated to two very special activities in the Midwest this spring – seaplane flying and airport conferences. In Minnesota, the…
What We Can & Cannot Do To Increase Our Pilot Numbers
by Dave Weiman There has been much talk about the 80 percent dropout rate among flight students, and this should concern all of us. It is counterproductive in our efforts…
Good Things Happening In Aviation… Be Proud & Enjoy!
by Dave Weiman Just when I hear someone talking about the decrease in pilot numbers, I am reminded of all of the good efforts being made by individuals like you,…
Their Mandate, Our Privilege, Your Expectation!
by Dave Weiman Whether this is your first issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine, or your 250th or so, you will read about some of the most dynamic organizations within your…
Associations…. Why We Belong!
Dialogue – by Dave Weiman If you have ever questioned why you belong to the various aviation groups, such as the Experimental Aircraft Association, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, National…
Good Things Happening In Aviation – Be Proud & Enjoy!
Just when I hear someone talking about the decrease in pilot numbers, I am reminded of all of the good efforts being made by individuals like you, aviation groups, businesses…